Memories of the journey of a lawyer, legal counsel and judge

Quote from Foreword

“… this autobiography is a must-read not only for what it says but also for what we must infer from between the lines. The author is to be congratulated for the honesty of this work but there is more.”

— From the Foreword by

Dato’ Mahadev Shankar

Retired Court of Appeal Judge

This book traces the life and career of a Malaysian law professional who was born in Kuala Lumpur after the end of the Second World War and lived through the years when an insurrection posed an existential threat to the newly established Federation of Malaya in 1948. A barrister-at-law, a corporate legal counsel and later a judge in Fiji, David Alfred recounts living at the sharp end of the Emergency with his doctor father encountering armed bandits and he himself coming under gun fire and witnessing a dead terrorist.

He was a student in primary school when Malaya became independent in 1957 and a student in secondary school when Malaysia was formed in 1963. He then lived through the Confrontation years. He was a law student in London and saw the setting of the sun on the British Empire. His reflections down memory lane provide a rare view of post-war life in Malaya and personal accounts of the early years of Malaysia.

In an interesting narration of the stories of his life, David Alfred recounts his experiences as a practising advocate in the courts in Malaysia and then as legal counsel in two leading banks in Kuala Lumpur. His legal career culminated with his judicial appointment in Fiji.

This is an account of what it was like to practise Law, to advise on Law and finally to dispense justice according to the Rule of Law. An interesting read for members of the legal community, this book shares insights of the rich history of the legal community in Malaysia and a rare glimpse of judicial life in Fiji.

Shaping the Law offers a compelling exploration of the judicial legacy of a respected Malaysian jurist, Justice Tan Sri Datuk Harmindar Singh Dhaliwal. Featuring 22 illuminating commentaries by leading legal minds, this volume analyses his landmark judgments across multiple fields, revealing a jurisprudence defined by intellect, fairness and an enduring commitment to justice.

Each chapter offers an in-depth exploration of legal reasoning, contextual background, and the impact of each decision on Malaysian jurisprudence. The contributors engage with issues across constitutional, administrative, criminal, commercial, tort, employment, and statutory interpretation domains. The collaborative scholarship ensures a balanced blend of academic depth and professional relevance.

The commentaries highlight how Justice Harmindar’s decisions embody integrity, independence, and fidelity to justice – qualities that define modern judicial excellence. The discussions offer practical lessons on judicial writing, reasoning, and interpretation that transcend specific case law.

Published in conjunction with Justice Harmindar’s retirement in 2025, this volume stands as a lasting record of his contributions to the Malaysian legal system, capturing the hallmarks of Justice Harmindar’s jurisprudence: clarity, fairness, empathy, and intellectual rigour. The specially curated content of this publication serves both as a professional tribute and as a scholarly examination of the decisions of an outstanding Malaysian judge.

Key features:

• Comprehensive commentaries: Contains 22 analytical chapters examining Justice Harmindar's most significant judgments, ranging from commercial law to criminal law.
• Multi-disciplinary perspectives: The commentaries draw on doctrinal, comparative, and philosophical analyses, offering a holistic understanding of the law in theory and in practice.
• Quality authorship: Features contributions from leading and upcoming lawyers, each bringing unique expertise and insight.
• A tribute and a study: Recognises the wisdom and judicial skill of a top judge.
• Focus on values that shape the law: Highlights the clarity, fairness, and empathy that mark Justice Harmindar's decisions.

"This book is a tribute to a visionary jurist, a compassionate humanitarian, and a man whose life reminds us that true justice is forged in principle and action. Within these pages, readers will encounter the intellect, the heart, and the indomitable spirit of a man who redefined what it means to serve the law and, through it, humanity."

� From the Foreword by Tun Richard Malanjum, Former Chief Justice of Malaysia

Description:

A treasure chest of the legal wisdom and flair of an extraordinary judge. Quintessential Gopal Sri Ram is a commemorative publication honouring the judicial legacy of one of Malaysia's most illustrious and accomplished jurists. This volume celebrates the profound influence Justice Gopal Sri Ram had on the development of Malaysian law, through illuminating commentary on an expertly curated selection of landmark judgments across 12 major areas of law.

From constitutional protections to commercial clarity, and from trust law to judicial review, this collection showcases how Justice Gopal Sri Ram's sharp legal mind moulded and applied the law with masterful precision and unwavering commitment to justice. His judgments reflect a deep reverence for the Federal Constitution and a fierce dedication to safeguarding the fundamental liberties of all Malaysians.

Featuring insightful analyses and discussion by seasoned judges, practitioners, and academics, this book offers readers a window into the brilliance of a judge whose reasoning continues to shape legal thought. It stands not only as a tribute, but as a vital reference � an enduring repository of the legal legacy he has left behind.

Quintessential Gopal Sri Ram is an essential addition to the Malaysian legal annals and a fitting celebration of a colossus in the nation's judicial history. It will undoubtedly command pride of place on the bookshelves of every good law collection.

Key features:

• Specially curated content to commemorate the legacy of a judge extraordinaire.
• Insightful commentaries that trace the special contributions of the judgments of Justice Gopal Sri Ram towards the development of Malaysian law.
• A showcase that presents the masterly application of the law to diverse fact scenarios to serve justice to all who came before the court.
• Unparalleled analyses carefully prepared by an esteemed panel of subject experts.
• Beautiful photos rekindling memories of yore.

Author Bio:

Chairperson
Tan Sri Datuk Zainun bt Ali

Members:

• Tan Sri Datuk Nallini Pathmanathan
• Dato' Mary Lim Thiam Suan
• Bharti Seth
• Dato' Edwin Paramjothy a/l Michael Muniandy

“While the book’s relatable content carries you through time, it has a wealth of wisdom. This work is a rousing hybrid of memoir and manifesto. … This book has those extra treats tucked in between the pages with a quirkiness not every writer is blessed with. Sometimes the edges are blurred in a way that highlights that place where stories and real life converge, where magic contains truth and the world as it appears is more intriguing.”

From the Foreword by
Tan Sri Datuk Zainun Ali
Former Federal Court Judge of Malaysia 

Summum Bonum (The Ultimate Good) presents the life, experiences and reflections of former Court of Appeal judge, Dato’ Mahadev Shankar. It contains stories which are absorbing, some even tantalising, as readers travel with the author down memory lane and immerse in the unfolding of a life well lived. From early Malaya to WWII, England, family law reform and the pebbled road from Bar to Bench, this book is peppered with the struggles and aspirations of one man on his legal journey. A must-read for members of the legal community, this book brings to life the roots and rich history of the legal community in Malaysia.

This book serves an intimate account about culture, family and one man’s life-long encounter with the law. The author provides insight and colourful perspectives about a Malaya that needs to be remembered, and about the journeys of many brave and resolute men and women who blazed the trail for the Malaysian legal profession.

A deeply moving and often colourful memoir, with its share of humour and historical figures from Malaya, England and Singapore, Summum Bonum will greatly interest the different stakeholders in the legal profession as well as the society at large. The author shares powerful lessons about the law, our collective history and the evolution of a nation much beloved. The celebrity anecdotes included will certainly be a great bonus to the readers as this book which explodes with extraordinary verve about key legal and historical personalities.

This book surveys the landscape of law and justice in Malaysia now and beyond through a re-evaluation of Vision 2020. It contains the views and analyses of pre-eminent legal thinkers and writers, with a variety of perspectives, from across the ethnic and religious divide, on the role of law within a more holistic view of Malaysia’s development and with a broad understanding of justice.

The present political landscape of the country makes the analyses presented in this book even more relevant. The chapters of this book cover a vast terrain and disparate subject matter, both public and private in nature. Some unique features of Malaysian law, such as constitutional supremacy, legal pluralism and the space given to Indigenous law and Islamic law, are considered.

Part 1, “Law and Government”, focuses on public law matters: law and development; Indigenous land rights, constitutional law and public prosecution.
Part 2, “Family and Finance”, examines matters related more to the private sector: family law, children’s rights and Islamic finance.

This book should be of interest to lawyers, judges, judicial officers, academia, civil society groups and everyone concerned with law and justice in Malaysia.

KEY FEATURES

• Insightful and critical analyses of issues
• Distinguished panel of legal thinkers and writers
• Consideration of topics highly relevant to the Malaysian legal and political landscape
• Extensive citation of sources and legal authorities for further reference
• Critical discussion of Malaysia’s 2020 constitutional crisis

“The Sultan Azlan Shah Law Lectures is one of the most prestigious lecture series of the common law world.”
Baroness Helena Kennedy QC

“There are a number of possible milestones of distinction for one who is pursuing a career as a member of the English Bench. Foremost amongst these is to be invited to deliver the Sultan Azlan Shah Lecture.”
Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers

The Sultan Azlan Shah Law Lecture Series was conceived to honour His Royal Highness Sultan Azlan Shah’s contribution to the development of Malaysian law. Since the first lecture was delivered in 1986, distinguished jurists, barristers and academics in the common law world have graced Malaysian shores to deliver authoritative, stimulating and thought-provoking lectures on a diverse range of topics.

The first seventeen lectures delivered between 1986 and 2003 were published in 2004 in the first volume entitled The Sultan Azlan Shah Law Lectures: Judges on the Common Law; the 18th to the 24th lectures delivered between 2004 and 2010 were published in 2011 in the second volume, The Sultan Azlan Shah Law Lectures II: Rule of Law, Written Constitutions & The Common Law Tradition.

This volume, the third in the series, entitled The Sultan Azlan Shah Law Lectures III: Politics and the Judiciary, Executive Power & The Limits of Law, contains the 25th to the 34th lectures delivered from 2011 to 2021.

This volume also contains a consolidated and comprehensive index of all subject matter appearing in the text of the lectures published, not only in this volume, but also in the earlier two volumes, as well as consolidated lists of the lecture titles and speakers of all the Sultan Azlan Shah Law Lectures from 1986 to 2021.

This book is a collection of essays loosely based on the theme of elections. It is not meant to be a book describing all you need to know about elections, but addresses some topical issues that may be on the minds of the average person on the street relating to elections and what happens thereafter. 

Some of the issues taken up in these essays include the functioning of the Election Commission, the prospect of a two-party system, party-hopping and anti-defection laws. Questions related to Parliament and how Parliament and its members are supposed to function are also addressed, as well as issues related to the day-to-day business of governing that comes after general elections – the relationship between those who have been elected into power and the civil service, the decision-making process of those in positions of authority and the need to carry out their duties in the best interest of the public. 

A better appreciation and understanding of these issues will contribute towards a better Malaysia with good and capable people chosen to represent its citizens and better functioning of its public institutions.